Rent-a-lane Deals A Strike With Bowlers

July 28, 1985|By Mike Teitelbaum, Staff Writer

Every Sunday Israel ``Izzy`` Indictor and his neighbors go through the same bowling ritual.

``We get together about 8 a.m. at the clubhouse and decide who`s going to be the driver of the car pool to the alley,`` Indictor said. ``The driver has to buy doughnuts for the entire gang, but then the losers have to buy the coffee for everybody.

``It`s competitive bowling as well as having a great time, whether it`s six or eight or 10 of us. We have a helluva lot of fun. And there`s a closeness between the neighbors.``

Indictor and his neighbors at High Pointe of Delray West Section 2 have been bowling almost every Sunday for two years at Don Carter`s All-Star Lanes in Boca Raton where they rent a lane for two hours for $8.

``Sunday is a ritual between the fellows,`` Indictor said. ``Our wives understand. I look forward to it. We`re just all fired up and get psyched up when we come to the bowling alley.

``It`s a lot of fun. You meet the same people every Sunday and get to know one another,`` Indictor said. ``It`s a beautiful way to get to know people and meet new people and keep in close contact with your neighbors.

In addition to Indictor, Joe Vende, Albert Stitzer, Mauro Franciosa, Doug Dana, Arte Mills and John Lekanides have been Sunday regulars for two years.

``Sometimes we make side bets,`` Indictor said, ``and we tell a lot of stories. When we`re together we`re like kids. I`m 67 years old and the rest are in the 60s or 70s.``

For Palm Beach County bowling alleys, ``rent-a-lane`` is the most popular incentive to attract bowlers on Sunday. The going rate is $6.75 to $10 for two hours. This allows as many bowlers as possible per lane to bowl as many games as possible in the two-hour period. Four adults can usually bowl two games each during the two hours.

The rent-a-lane incentive also allows individual bowlers to practice. It`s not uncommon to see one bowler roll 10 or 12 games in the two-hour span.

In addition to paying for the lanes, there is a shoe rental charge. The charge is usually 75 cents. Many lanes also have a game room for non-bowlers or playpens available for infants.

Fair Lanes in Palm Springs, which has 40 lanes, offers rent-a-lane from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for $6.75. After 1:30 p.m., it`s open bowling.

Fair Lanes in Boynton Beach, which has 32 lanes, also offers rent-a-lane for $6.75. They have two squads, the first starting at 8:30 a.m. and the second beginning at 10:45 a.m. The second squad is usually full, while the early- morning session is usually about 60 percent full.

Also at Fair Lanes in Boynton Beach, there is a family plan from 1 to 3 p.m. for $8.25. The earlier squads are mostly senior citizens.

After 3 p.m., there is open bowling.

Don Carter`s All-Star Lanes in Boca Raton, which has 64 lanes, has the rent- a-lane incentive for $8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Usually the lanes are filled, and sometimes there is a waiting list.

At Greenacres Lanes, which has 60 lanes, rent-a-lane is offered for $10 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. During both squads, the house is about half-filled.

After 1:30 p.m., there is open bowling.

If the bowling lanes don`t offer rent-a-lane, there usually is a discount for individual games.

At Eddie Arnold`s Delray Beach Bowl, which has 20 lanes, individual games are $1 instead of $1.50 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the summer, there are lanes available, but they usually are filled during the winter months.

At Lake Worth Lanes, which has 36 lanes, individual games cost 75 cents from 8:30 a.m. to noon; 2-for-1 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Games during the 2-for-1 incentive are $1.55 each.

During the morning, the house is usually filled with a waiting list while the 2-for-1 usually has 24 to 30 lanes in use.

At Lantana Lanes, which has 16 lanes, individual games are $1 and you can get three for $2.75 until 6 p.m.